APRIL in the garden

Cutting back reduces plant size quite quickly, but still allows enough leaves to put goodness back into tubers which is really important at this time of the year. Most of you will have a good dose of powdery mildew by now. It is not necessary to do anything about it to get rid of it, just keep cutting your plants back. Only leave flower heads that you want to collect seed from. Keep this number to a minimum as it uses lots of the plants energy. If you are collecting seed, it is proving a difficult season ( 2023) with the high humidity and rain. This is rotting heads before they can produce viable seeds. On consultation with other seasoned breeders I would like to suggest that you do not put the cut stems into water but in fact turn the stem upside down after blotting with tissue and expressing as much water as possible in an effort to expel water that is sitting trapped. Also make sure that there are no petals left on the head as they retain moisture too. You can pull them out or cut them off.

By the end of April all the rest of your flowers should now be cut and the plant is cut back by approx 1/3. If you are using the netting as stakes then cut back to the top layer of netting. The next cutback will be to the layer of netting closest to the ground. I know it is tempting to get the last flower possible in the season but the plant needs a rest and to concentrate on the tubers ready for next season.

If you get a frost in the next few weeks then cut back to end of the frost damage. Allow a week or two before cutting back frost damage as the leaves will still be offloading sugars.

I would like to reinforce that those of you who have started as novice growers that next season starts now with the focus being on tuber production.  It is also the time to evaluate your wind protection, drainage and soil health. 

You can decide which plants came up to expectation and which ones were just space wasters. The change in the seasons can create a lot of havoc on plant performance, but it is still a good idea to be a bit ruthless on varieties that after a few years still do not make the grade. Some varieties that do well in one part of the country may not do so well in other areas.

It is too early to lift tubers in April. There will be tubers but not necessarily fully developed. The tubers develop a tough outer skin in the later stages of die back. If you lift too early they will have trouble resisting damage and disease. Resist hosing off excess dirt with too much pressure as this will damage the outer layer too. I wouldn't lift before June if possible. If you have to lift your plants then make sure your plant is cut back by about half, then lift plant with lots of surrounding dirt and replant as quickly as possible.

Do not be tempted to buy tubers now unless they are pot tubers. Tubers are best bought in September/ October when they have come through the winter and are showing active eyes on the crown. You can make your wishlists and put orders in now. 

Dahlia clubs and groups often have sale days in October where you can not only buy tubers but get good quality information on how to plant and grow them.